Cascadia Community College

*Update
I am not attending this quarter, due to not having financial aid and I can’t afford to fork out over a grand for two classes. This update won’t be based on classes/​professors, because I will not have enough experience to rate that.
The short:
Transcripts were sent to the correct address (Cascadia’s Enrollment Services) mid October. Those transcripts should be at Cascadia by late November, and one of those transcripts was sent twice, the first sent a month earlier. I have documents stating when these papers were sent/​received.
Cascadia only has two of the four transcripts still. It is 1÷10÷16. Tired of visiting the Kodiak Corner or calling, I sent an email asking about my transcript status and mentioned the documents I have saying each of those transcripts were sent mid-​October. This email was sent to Enrollment Services (where the transcripts were sent) four days ago, and I yet to get a response.
Plenty of others probably have had a breeze with financial aid and other college processes, but this chick will be taking business elsewhere, where papers are received and processed within a month.
**On the only class I’ve taken, which was not included in the rating:
I have only taken an online class, which is more convenient for my current work hours, and I can tell you that it was in no way worth $ 600 (out of pocket, too). It was a joke. No challenge, and any written assignment with complete sentences would be given a 100%. To be honest, I have yet to take a Psych class that had a challenging professor (online and classroom) and assignments.

Cascadia is a great school! Small class sizes (no lecture classes) great resources available to students and so much more.
I’ve had the pleasure of discovering most of my teachers have worked in thier field not just been a teacher. I feel like I’m getting an education that will actually be useful in the real world.
The campus itself is pleasant to be on. With the edible food forest and lost of natural light and even hiking trails it has plenty of spots to relax and study.

I have been attending Cascadia since 2012 and I am about to Graduate in June. The other reviews seem spiteful and jaded. I have had wonderful experiences with the staff, faculty, students and the facilities.
As a veteran I feel the experience rewarding and like life nothing is handed out. Cascadia is the one true school that gives the students a real world view on how things are outside of school walls. I would recommend ANYONE to attend this school.

I’m in my second quarter here at cascadia and I actually really really like it. I’ve been lucky with most of my professors except Linda Kosa-​Postl who is the worst professor I’ve ever had, I highly recommend looking up the professors at
before registering but other than that and the creepy parking garage, the school has a beautiful campus and beautiful ideals, it’s great.

This school is a joke. The teachers in the summer are trying to collect a check without doing any of their work. There are not nearly enough parking spots, and the financial aid people take forever to process paperwork because they work in the least efficient manner possible. Please, go to any other school if you have the opportunity.

It’s a shame that some of these reviews are so bad. I don’t doubt they had bad experiences, but I wonder about some of the claims. Here’s why:
I became close with some of the people in advising and other administrative areas. Donna, who used to be at the information desk, was always on the phone and very helpful to others whenever I stopped by to visit her between classes. Every single one of the instructors I had were highly knowledgeable and challenging. I never received a grade I didn’t deserve (and left with a 3.8 gpa).
For a community college, their variety of classes was impressive. The class sizes were more intimate and comfortable and I think that has something to do with some people’s reactions to the school. Instructors get to know you and you can’t hide.
I loved Cascadia. I have no regrets and it was the best investment of my life. I will always speak highly of the people, and respectfully of the institution itself. I learned a lot and made some great friends — including my instructors. Now that they’ve been around for a while, they’ve hit their stride. Give ‘em a chance.
Re: Rekka R.
Again, I don’t doubt she had a bad experience. However, I am an older, semi-​disabled woman. I have seen plenty of disabled people at Cascadia (there is even a club for disabled services members). Group work is part-​and-​parcel of the Cascadia experience. Same with UWB. If you can’t be in a group, this is not the school for you.
There are plenty of computers on-​campus, not just in the library, but all over the buildings. While the printers are hard to navigate, all you have to do is ask for help and be assertive. If you can’t do it, insist someone does it for you. You’re paying to attend the school, you’re paying for any assistance. The library also allows students to check out laptops. Wireless printers are not a necessity. I don’t have one and I was fine.
If a professor questions e-​mailing homework, again, be assertive. You don’t have to tell them what your disability is, but you are responsible for your own success. A simple «I’m not able to do such-​and-​such, so here is an alternative I propose» will suffice. I’ve never had a professor deny my requests. Ever.
As I previously stated, I am an older (non-​traditional) student and I had the time of my life here. No one treated me poorly because of my age or disability. And while it would be nice to have constant support in dealing with home, family, work and school through the school, one must take responsibility for one’s own education, as well as everything else. DSS can only do so much. Faculty can only do so much. As a 46 year-​old woman, I can assure you I’ve grown out of the «everyone owes me» phase and work hard to make sure I rely on as few people as possible. I do understand social anxiety disorder and that does not preclude a person from taking responsibility for one’s life.
I’m sincerely sorry she had these experiences, but it wasn’t wholly the school. Did they help as they advertised or promised? I don’t know. I do know that whatever help I needed, I received. And I knew many disabled students of varying ages and ethnicities and they all were happy and well-​adjusted. Rekka’s is a cautionary tale to be sure, but not as much of the school as of what one is able to handle.

Been trying to call for two days and NO ONE answers the phone… even when I try the front desk main number. Worked my way through all the phone «options» and eventually called the president’s office… they answered and transferred me to the proper department.
Not answering your phones = bad customer service.

I am presenting this review based on my year up-​to-​date experience with faculty, office staff, campus environment/​amenities, and students.
At the beginning of my freshman year, I was highly anticipating being a CCC student because of its glorious environmental setting, small campus, and the fact that it ranks #2 as one of the best community colleges in America.
ONLINE :
After two quarters, I began noticing the class schedule does not inform you of the class availability until you log on to another system then notifies you are on a wait-​list. Bellevue College is nice enough to inform you beforehand of the class availability. I also did not appreciate that every class used different online learning portals-​Canvas, ANGEL, Eres, and WAMAP. Now this is very inconvenient for a student, and apparently CCC is «in the process of converting to strictly Canvas» (let’s see how long this process will take, shall we?).
Not only are there different websites you’re obligated to use, even for handouts so instructors don’t have to waste their valuable time printing, but the class schedule doesn’t inform you if a teacher uses the online portals-​AT ALL. So having access to a computer is mandatory if you want to succeed at this school.
I know that it’s obvious our generation is joined at the hip with technology, but I think students would appreciate some notification about the class being hybrid/​online, because not all students prefer online learning, otherwise they’d have registered for an online class!
INSTRUCTORS:
This past quarter, I had met at least five different instructors for one class. The instructor had been consistently absent, late, unprepared, unorganized more often than not. By ¾ of the quarter, we were informed our instructor had taken temporary leave on an emergency. From this, students had experienced several instructors unaware of what we had been learning, we had class cancelled and also times when no teacher would show up. As a result of this chaos, students in my class compiled a petition to designate the class as a pass/​fail.
Of course, the petition was denied by the Dean and pretty much were told it was nothing they could do. Not one student received an apology for this inconvenience, we did get a nice email apology about a teacher not showing up for class though, which is reasonable I guess.
I would rank the instructors an 8 out of 10 because they are knowledgeable and funny, easy-​going, but I do feel like they could be a bit more communicative and organized. But, it’s only the #2 ranked community college in the nation, so what would one expect?
OFFICE:
Let me be the first to get your hopes and dreams crushed expecting a heartwarming and empathetic office staff! You are an adult and paying thousands of dollars for tuition/​books/​transportation, but mind you, these employees sit on their bums all day eating or talking to each other and are very uninformative, serious, and nowhere near hospitable.
I have had many difficulties getting my paperwork, such as residency forms/​financial aid forms/​address change forms processed. I would be informed to expect a call within a week or an email to expect to wait a week.
I’ve also been lucky enough to see four employees in financial aid just to simply process my address change, wait another week, and still get nothing changed (but forgive them, «they’re using a new system and the other gal is on vaca») .
I took liberty to call myself and write several complaint letters to financial aid with no response.
It was unreal to me how lazy and incompetent people can be, however, when you work for a community college, in which is also shared with one of the most prestigious universities in the nation, you better expect that I, as a student, would assume the staff would reflect an «Above Average» representation of some sort of dignity.
AMENTIES:
I appreciate the NON-​automatic flush toilets, smaller sized towels, and automatic sinks, conservation about the environment is very frugal at this time. I also like how the school has vending machines on every floor and kinda wish we didn’t have an elevator so it would force people to use the elevator, except for handicapped of course.
The campus has a café on the ground floor, a deli right next to the bookstore, and also since the campus is connected to the UWB, there is a Subway.
There are multiple buses serving most of eastside/​some Seattle.
In the summer, there is a beautiful green grassy lawn a lot of students use, as well as a trail that connects to the campus for runners, skaters, and cyclists.
The library is huge, I think three or four floors, spacious and the librarians there are somewhat helpful.
Unfortunately, there is a lack of lockers and showers on campus. LWTC has lockers ;)
The students all rock, it’s pretty much all you got if you want to get further in your academic career at CCC. Get to know them and keep your connections!

I have been attending Cascadia for 2 years now. The staff is worse than rude. They have made a clerical mistake (theirs not mine) and dropped all my classes more than once. They shut down advising and financial aid due to «volume» at the beginning and end of every quarter. At precisely the moment you need help with issues (even some they caused) no one can help you. What kind of place does this? Half the instructors are worth while. The online platform «Angel» is horrible. They devote far too much time and resources to «student life» crap. The parking goes up at least $ 1 every few months. The advantage of access to UW resources is dwindling and they are now charging Cascadia students to utilize what used to be free. The majority of students are pampered rich kids that are lazy and too stupid to get into a University. As an adult student it is extremely frustrating to have to work with them. And you do because of the stupid team assignments that is part of EVERY class. To meet this lame «learning objectives» that mean nothing at all you are forced to do final projects with a group of lazy idiots. The only way to get an A in every class is to do the whole project yourself and give the lazy idiots a free pass. There are also «running start» students so you have clueless 16 year olds in your class too, it’s awesome! I hate this school and hearing it is 2^nd in the nation has always disturbed me. How bad could every other school be to make this one #2? I found out that is based solely on opinion surveys. I don’t know who they asked but I am willing to bet it was not a student. I would not recommend this school to adult students. If you can take primarily online courses, that is the best route. Be prepared to have Christianity forced into every discussion board forum and in every class. I have one last class til graduation and the day I am finished I will never look back on this terrible time I spent here. Not exactly a glowing review, is it?

This school is more confusing than anything else. Even though there is a search bar on the website there half of what comes up is irrelevant. It gets to the point where I have to call them up and ask for simple things I should not have to.
I also have some complaints about their setup. You can only sell your books during finals week (uhhh, I need those to study how about I sell those back at the beginning of next quarter when I am done with them? Also, the math and writing center is closed during finals week. WTH? That is the time most people need help. That is really not cool.
The staff are pretty unhelpful and unsympathetic. I do admit I have had some cool teachers but most were not. The front desk people are too grumpy and won’t even print you off a transcript. I have no printer at home and I asked nicely. It is beyond me why people would want to be so rude to paying students.
I think the only good thing about this school is that it is a major hub for buses on the east side.

I’m in the process of registering for Cascadia, and the only thing I can complain about is the parking. I drove around and around trying to find a free visitor spot, and finally had to park in the garage, but when I went to pay for the spot, the keypad was broken on the machine. Fortunately, I was there for over 2 hours, and they didn’t give me a ticket.
So, that’s the negative, but it became a positive. I had a sort of snotty lady at the front desk, but I only had to deal with her for a second. The Financial Aid worker was sweet, professional and informative. The Welcome New Student representative was nice and patient. She even gave my son the materials to make an airplane while he waited for our appointment to finish.
The building is easy to get through, with signs throughout that make it easy to find your way. I’m excited to start classes!

I’ve attended Cascadia since June 22, 2009, and I haven’t regretted a second of it. It’s far and above the best community college in the state, and honestly, one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.
The faculty are amazing, simply put. They’re experienced, knowledgeable, and have a passion for what they teach; really everything a great professor should be. The faculty come from a variety of backgrounds, and more likely than not, their career has been focused in what they teach. Outstanding, really outstanding.
I’ve taken sixteen 5-​credit classes here, and there hasn’t been one where I’ve doubted the instructor’s ability to engage me in the material, and help me to learn it, not just remember it. The course material itself challenges you to think about the larger picture, and how it applies to the larger world.
The staff here are equally amazing, and have a passion for helping students to engage on campus, and make the absolute best of their time at Cascadia. Student Life is always putting this event or that event, and trust me, they’re great events. The advisors are fantastic about knowing what courses you need for a degree, or the university you’re hoping to transfer to. Other staff are equally great in their functions; the buildings are always kept clean, and the computers running at optimum speed.
The student population here is a slightly younger crowd than most community colleges, most of them being post high-​school students, ranging from 18 – 24. The students here are kind, open-​minded, and just, amazing. I’ve loved the people I’ve gotten to meet.
Also, as a Cascadia student, I have access to an expansive campus library, and as well, the entire UW Library system. It’s been awesome to have access to their databases, their materials, and their awesome research librarians.
If you’re ever in need of support, the Open Learning Center is a great place, which offers free equipment to check out (laptops, cameras, etc.), and the Math and Writing Center, which provides free tutoring to students, by experienced students, who’ve excelled in Math and Writing. As well, Cascadia’s just added SmartThinking, a free ²⁴⁄₇ resource in which students can receive help in any subject taught at Cascadia.
Overall, for the outstanding faculty, diverse student population, and excellent environment, I think that attending Cascadia Community College is one of the best decisions one could make. It’s without any reservation that I whole-​heartedly recommend Cascadia.

Rank #2? On what? I guess I shouldn’t really complain that much since I did came from the military. I was expecting a bit more but fell short when I found out half of my class mates are drop outs or still in high school.

This school is not friendly to veterans. It is the 4^th college that I have attended, and the VA personnel in financial aid are some of the worst. They care nothing for helping veterans.
Everything else seems ok.

I chose to attend Cascadia because of the location, campus and choice of online classes. I have attended other colleges and this one is by far the best. Granted I haven’t been in college for over 12 years. I appreciate the low cost-​high quality of education I am receiving. All professors are very helpful and lots of my peers are students that are enrolled in Running Start. We really do have a bright future if these kids will be running our country someday.

My review is based on my experience of attempting to sign up for classes four years ago. The office staff was incredibly rude and unfriendly. The class selection was completely limited.
I would recommend other, more established campuses that have reputations and more selection. Shoreline CC and Bellevue CC are great campuses with awesome programs and great academics and aren’t that much farther away.

hmmm — I see reviews from students who probably haven’t been anywhere else. No I haven’t taken classes there, but my son has. I have heard about the classes, seen what he has done and am impressed. And since it is a new school, there are many pluses and minuses. (I received my BA at a brand new college, so I know what it’s like.)
I have had some contact with the faculty, and they all seem top rate. As for administration, enrollment offices, etc., sounds like (name the college and I’ve taken classes from 9 community and 4 year colleges, private and public in this state.) At first glance, the community college I started at seemed like a high school with ash trays in the cafeteria. It wasn’t till I went to several 4 year institutions that I appreciated the teachers there. I would guess that some of the reviewers may find the same thing.
For teacher quality, I could almost parrot Jeremy C. on some of the teachers at EVERY college I have been to. There used to be the saying that «Those that can, do, Those that can’t, teach» In spite of that, I have found some very brilliant, talented professors at all community colleges I have been to, who really cared for their students and were excellent teachers.
And at least one of the staff buys pizza from us for his end of quarter event!

I just finished up my Associate’s Degree at CCC in March and honestly I wish I went to BCC instead. It’s a pretty new school, so nothing is settled here. When you have questions about enrollment or services of any type, you’re sent back and forth between offices. It’s hard to get your questions answered. The instructors are usually snobby for some reason. They are too cool for school. I don’t know why they are teaching at this place, if they supposedly have a degree from Berkely! Parking can be a hassle, it’s a buck everytime you get in the parking lot. I had many times when I couldn’t find a parking spot, so I had to park in the UW parking lot all the way on the other side and walk back to CCC. The classes are very limited. I wouldn’t rely on the class schedule here. Classes get cancelled out of nowhere and you’re left out without any options. If you’re serious about education and financially stable, either try to get in straight to a university or choose another college such as BCC where they have more selection, and at least 4 – 5 different times for each class, otherwise chances are you will finish your 2-​year degree in 3.

It’s a community college, and fits the stereotype. If you want a cheap and easy education, this is your place; if you want to learn, best go elsewhere. There are probably a lot of great opportunities here if you’re in High School and want easy access to Running Start. It’s affordable, has a moderate selection of introductory and survey topics (not much in depth education, though) and has reasonable class sizes. I’m retired and attended largely out of boredom; I found the standard of education, however, to be fairly low and the qualifications of the professors to be exceptionally disappointed (I had two good teachers, both of whom were dismissed; I also had one absolutely awful teacher, who is still there). For my needs, I’ll instead be auditing classes at UW.
On the bright side, it has a surprisingly beautiful campus and, as another reviewer notes, a nice library.

Great if you like using computers and only receiving computer training. Great if you like snobby, second-​rate faculty. Excellent if you want to pay $ 1 for parking in a crappy parking garage every time you want to visit.
But it does have a great library, though.